If you want to sing out, sing out.
You know what they say about the internet. Somewhere out in the nooks and crannies of the deep web exists an article, study, or (god forbid) blog post that validates any belief, theory, or supposed fact that you consider an ontological truth. This could very well be one of those articles. But for those of us that regularly go to gigs, the idea that live music makes you a happier person is a no-brainer.
[featured image: shutterstock]
For the interest of science, however, a team of Australian researchers conducted a study to test this theory. The study involved interviews of 1,000 Australians exploring the relationship of music engagement and subjective well-being. Their findings conclude that those who “habitually” engage with music, be it in the form of a concert, festival, or even club, have a better sense of life satisfaction.
One point of emphasis in the study is the communal nature of the live music experience. Furthermore, it highlights the “interpersonal” feature of music, wherein it acts as an avenue that allows a collective experience of a shared feeling and singular phenomenon.
One can easily see how this manifests: thousands belting out the chorus of a song at the top of their lungs, the pulse of a sea of people dancing to an electrifying beat, or the all-out chaos of moshing in a pit. Each instance involves a collective, shared reaction to a singular source. To posit a personal inference, the interpersonal experience of music relates to these very expressions that, when shared, rejuvenate one’s feeling of being part of a whole, leading to a greater sense of well-being.